Need help with Apache Virtual Host

Something I found out recently is when giving example domains, it is industry standard to use example.com.. that domain is infact set aside for using it in cases like you did above...
this serves no use to your post, I just found it really interesting. =)

As for linking your domain to your home IP address.
First, I trust you will use your external IP address, not your network's IP.

This advise may not be 100% acurate as things might have changed since I did it.
My advise is based on my own experience in the past.

For doing this, you need to sign up with a DNS company. They will provide DNS servers to host your domain/ip association.
If you were using a professional hosting company, they usually provide this for you.
Since you are on your own, you need to pay for the service.

I had used dyndns.org, and signed up for their Custom DNS service.
In doing this, I had to give dyndns my home IP address... in return they gave me addresses to their DNS servers that host that information.
I then gave the addresses to the DNS servers to my domain registration company.

Sorry you'll have to bear with me I'm a bit thick!!!

Whats the difference between a network IP address and an external IP address?

I have a single computer with an apache http server on it I wasn't aware I had two addresses?

Mark.

Does your computer use a router?

If your computer connects directly to the internet (without a router), running ipconfig [or winipconfig] will likely return your external ip address.
If your computer is connected to a network, or a router, running ipconfig will likely return your network ip address.

The difference is, your network IP address only works from within your network. The external IP address would be the IP that's shown to the world.

It is the external IP address that you would need to give DynDNS [or whatever service you choose]